Noting official differences

TERRY GIERKE Review is intense

If it could happen in the NBA, what about the NFL?

As the FBI investigates allegations that NBA official Tim Donaghy bet on games he refereed, those in the NFL's corporate offices seemed ready for the inevitable question. So, too, were two former NFL referees.

"I can't see it happening in football," said Terry Gierke, who served as an NFL official from 1981-2001. "I think it would be awfully, awfully hard for that type of situation where an official deliberately makes calls that went against the grain of the game.

"A lot of people might not understand how much review goes on after every game. With the different resources that the NFL has, they review it intensely. It takes almost a day to review one game of a previous weekend. As part of that review, every official is graded, positive or negative, on every play. If there was a pattern that established a particular official making calls in certain situations, like affecting scoring plays, it would pop out like a red flag."

Gierke, who lives in Oregon and works in real estate, believes the league's thorough review process is more detailed than what the NBA conducts. In addition, he said the league closely monitors all officials through its security division, to the point that if an official wanted to travel to Las Vegas, permission would be required from the NFL office.

Another former official, Jim Tunney, said he always welcomed such deep involvement from NFL security. "I would always say there are three organizations watching you: the CIA, FBI, and the NFL," he said.

He understands why.

"With the amount of money being bet on NFL games every year, you're certainly going to have that threat that somebody is going to try to get to someone, whether it's a coach, a player, an official," said Tunney, who worked as an official from 1960-1991, including three Super Bowls, and is now a motivational speaker. "From the time I started in the NFL, that has always been a concern."

Greg Aiello, the NFL's vice president of communications, said the league has ongoing background checks of officials, and noted they are obligated to report significant changes in their financial history and arrangements. Aiello also made the point that since NFL officials are part-time employees, it enables the league to hire successful people who don't rely totally on their game paycheck.

The issue of gambling among officials is addressed in the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFL Referees Association, reminding officials that betting and accepting bribes are prohibited. The language goes as far as to restrict officials from entering a racetrack or casino during the season, as well as speaking at promotional engagements in cities where casinos are located (i.e. Las Vegas, Atlantic City) if their name is used in connection with, or in association with, gambling.

Officials who enter a racetrack or casino must report the activity within 24 hours or risk a $1,000 fine on a first offense, with subsequent offenses leading to harsher penalties. Those who gamble on a team sport at any time are terminated immediately.

Tunney tells a story from his post-referee days when he was walking through a casino with a CEO on a speaking engagement, and his instincts took over.

"I put my Super Bowl ring in my pocket, because my first thought was that I didn't want someone to see it and think, 'Jim Tunney, he's an official, I wonder if he bet on games?' That can hang a black cloud over you, and you have to be very, very careful."

Aiello is not aware of a time in which the NFL has had to fine or suspend an official for violating gambling rules. "We can't find any record of it," he said. Tunney also believes there have been no such incidents since he became an official.

The allegations against Donaghy struck a nerve with Tunney and Gierke.

"When an official makes an error out on the field, that's only human, but I found the allegations to be very, very bothersome," Gierke said. "It disgusted me, quite honestly."

Colts could be in for rough ride

The Colts open training camp tomorrow, and some of the chatter is centered around how the team will respond to the challenge of defending its championship.

"We're going to borrow a page from the Patriots' notebook and [University of Florida basketball coach] Billy Donovan's notebook -- we told the guys we're not defending anything," said team president Bill Polian. "Everybody is 0-0. We're last year's champs, but that was last year. You have to move on. There's a new mountain to climb."

One concern for the Colts is at left tackle, where Tarik Glenn unexpectedly retired last week. Glenn had been a constant over the last 10 seasons, missing just six regular-season games and protecting the blindside of the Colts' most important player, quarterback Peyton Manning.

So, what do the Colts do now?

Charlie Johnson, a sixth-round draft choice from last season, is one possibility. The 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound Johnson started one game last season and filled in admirably at right tackle in the Super Bowl after starter Ryan Diem was injured in the first quarter. Rookie Tony Ugoh, for whom the Colts traded a 2008 first-round choice to draft in the second round, is another option. Diem could also move from the right side to the left.

Because they played into early February, the Colts cut their offseason program a few weeks short to lessen the grind on players. As Polian assesses the journey ahead, he sees a lot of roadblocks.

"I start with the fact the AFC is an exceptionally strong conference again," he said. "That makes any attempt to make the playoffs very difficult."

For a brilliant career, Curtis deserves curtain call

When Curtis Martin retired last week, he did so as the NFL's No. 4 all-time rusher (14,101). His former coach, Bill Parcells, put him at the top of another category.

"He's one of the most inspirational players I have ever seen," Parcells said. "I always judge players by their ability to inspire others. I've seen Curtis Martin inspire numerous players and coaches and I was fortunate to be among those he inspired. He's one of the greatest players I have ever coached."

Parcells and Martin, of course, were first paired in New England when the Patriots selected Martin in the third round of the 1995 draft (74th overall). Few knew at the time that Martin would be embarking on a Hall of Fame-worthy career, but one of the Patriots scouts -- Paul Pawlak -- had a feeling he could be special.

Pawlak, a former Northeastern University head coach (1981-90), spent extensive time researching Martin. For a scout, the projection was risky, because Martin missed most of his final college season at Pittsburgh with an ankle injury. Pawlak relied on older video of Martin and attended all of his workouts before writing up a glowing recommendation.

The Patriots' running backs coach at the time, Maurice Carthon, quickly became a believer. And with a nice harmony between the scouting department and Parcells's coaching staff at the time, everyone in the draft room was in agreement that Martin was worth the third-round investment, even if other clubs felt the Patriots were reaching.

Stories such as that help explain why Carthon feels so strongly about Martin.

"I love Curtis Martin. Curtis is the best player I have ever coached," Carthon said. "I am a better coach because of him."

Etc.

New sheriff in town
When it comes to Michael Vick, not to be overlooked is the role NFL commissioner Roger Goodell played. By telling Vick to stay away from training camp, Goodell took the decision-making burden off the Falcons, who would have been under fire no matter what they did. That the NFL would put itself on the firing line caught the attention of at least one team's front office, which in the past had felt the league pushed the responsibility to individual teams on most conduct-based decisions.

Giant problem?
Giants coach Tom Coughlin was hoping the circus atmosphere that surrounded his team in 2006 would be left in the past, but no such luck now that Michael Strahan hasn't reported to camp and is mulling retirement. Some consider it a contract ploy, but general manager Jerry Reese is already reviewing options on how the Giants might fill the void. Figuring they would have Strahan, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, playing opposite the emerging Osi Umenyiora, the Giants had moved former Boston College end Mathias Kiwanuka to linebacker, but Kiwanuka might be forced to return to his natural position.

Tough to forget
Saints coach Sean Payton knows running back Reggie Bush is one of the NFL's most explosive weapons in the open field, but he doesn't want him to forget about hard running between the tackles. Those chores have been dutifully handled by Deuce McAllister in New Orleans, and still will be for the most part, but Payton wants Bush to pound it inside as well. "I think we saw a lot more of that in the latter half of the season in games against New York and Pittsburgh, where we felt like he did a good job of running north and south," said Payton, who felt Bush's 126-yard performance against the Giants Dec. 24 was one of his best efforts of the season.

Those wondering why Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel might be reluctant to play for a one-year tender of $7.79 million saw the main reason why Friday afternoon. That's when cornerback Chad Scott, a potential replacement for Samuel, was carted off the field after landing awkwardly during an 11-on-11 passing drill. It was a reminder of how fast things can change in the NFL, and why players -- who already have short careers and compete in a brutal sport with nonguaranteed contracts -- covet long-term security.

Offensive lineman Pete Kendall, at odds with Jets management regarding his contract, decided to show up to training camp, but to his surprise was placed in a dormitory with rookies. A needling of sorts? Perhaps, but coach Eric Mangini denied that was the case. "There is no conspiracy theory here. I didn't send out secret agents," he said. It was hard to tell if Mangini, who made a guest appearance on "The Sopranos" this year, was in full acting mode. Kendall later was moved to a different dorm.

One man's Gaines is another's loss. Such was the case in Tampa Bay last week when the Buccaneers unexpectedly released veteran Simeon Rice, on the same day the team finalized a contract with first-round draft choice Gaines Adams. It will be Adams, the fourth overall pick in the draft, who will attempt to fill Rice's pass-rushing role at defensive end. Over 11 seasons, Rice has 121 sacks, No. 2 among active players. He was due to make $7.25 million this year, which was a factor in the Buccaneers' decision.

How has media coverage of the NFL changed? Consider this from Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News: When he covered his first training camp in 1977, in Kansas City, there were 12 spectators in attendance for the team's initial workout. When Gosselin arrived in New England this weekend for the start of Patriots camp, the team announced a crowd of 6,160 for the opening workout.

First-year Steelers coach Mike Tomlin opened training camp with four days of two practices apiece, a grinding start . . . The Dolphins are moving 2006 first-round pick Jason Allen to cornerback after he primarily played safety last year . . . The Raiders opened training camp with Robert Gallery, the No. 2 overall pick in 2004, at left guard. A disappointment thus far, Gallery had worked mostly at tackle over the last three seasons . . . Former Patriots receiver David Givens, who is recovering from knee surgery, did not practice as the Titans opened training camp . . . The Ravens remain a hot ticket in Baltimore; when single-game ducats went on sale Friday, they were sold out within 10 minutes . . . The Cowboys are planning on free agent signee Ken Hamlin starting next to Roy Williams at safety, which would make him the seventh player to start at that spot since 2004 . . . It's early, but the Rams are encouraged by the progress of cornerback Tye Hill, a 2006 first-round pick whom they are planning on lining up against opponents' top receivers . . . The Bills avoided a minor scare when starting quarterback J.P. Losman tweaked his back lifting weights. Losman missed the first day of training camp but returned to the practice fields for Day 2 . . . The Broncos will induct former running back Terrell Davis into their Ring of Fame at their Sept. 23 game against the Jaguars.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.